The Ultimate San Diego Guide

Whenever I’m going on a trip or even trying to discover something new in my own city, I find myself not googling for traditional “City Guides,” but rather turn to instagram and stalk influencer’s feeds in the city I’ll be visiting! I look to see where they’re going to eat, where they grab a good cup of coffee, what cute spots they’ve taken their instagram photos at etc. I feel there’s a real disconnect today between traditional city guides you may find on travel sites that outline the popular tourist spots versus the places we’re all actually looking up on our favorite influencers’ instagrams. In order to find a cute spot to take an instgram pic or find the perfect cafe to grab coffee in the city I’m visiting, I have to do some major FBI level hunting on instagram and for most people that’s not an ideal way to plan your trip itinerary.

That being said, I wanted to create a guide that brings these two things together: The ease and thoroughness of traditional city guides but with the recommendations we’re all actually looking for. Below you’ll find my Ultimate San Diego Guide that outlines everything you need to see, eat, drink, snap and do when visiting San Diego or even if you’re a local and want to discover some new places!

Along with this guide I’m also doing a “Best of San Diego” Giveaway of goodies from all my favorite local San Diego business (valued at over $700)! To enter the giveaway head to my instagram post here!

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The Ultimate San Diego Guide

Cafes/Coffee Shops:

Communal Coffee, North Park:

This is one of the cutest coffee shops I’ve ever seen and better yet it has a flower shop (Native Poppy) inside! For yummy and unique coffee drinks, a great ambience, fresh flowers and some cute photo ops (like the iconic Coffee & Flowers mural) head here! Also be sure to check out their newer location in South Park!

Better Buzz, Pacific Beach & Hillcrest:

I’ve been coming to better buzz for years and have turned so many friends and family onto it! They have a few locations but I’d have to say my favorite is their larger Pacific Beach Garnet Ave location (they have 3 in PB), and their newer Hillcrest location where they roast as well! Both locations have a super cool Black And White vibe (great for instagram snaps!) and they have the yummiest drinks and bites to eat!

Eats:

Lionfish, Gaslamp:

Located at the gorgeous Pendry Hotel, Lionfish has to be my favorite seafood restaurant in San Diego! The food is just spectacular (you have to try the sushi!) and the restaurant has a wonderful ambience (with a lot of great spots to snap a photo too)! I definitely recommend coming here for a special occasion or a fun night out!

Indigo Grill, Little Italy:

I’ve been coming here for years with my family and still haven’t tasted food thats as eclectic, unique and bursting with flavor as Indigo Grill’s! The modern latin cuisine here is so delicious and the flavor combinations are different than anything you’ve ever tasted (you have to try the tamale)!

Piatti, La Jolla Shores:

I’ve spent many celebratory dinners here (I even sought out one of their locations in NorCal for a family grad dinner!) and am never disappointed by the scrumptious, fresh Italian food! The ambiance of Piatti is very romantic (perfect for date night) and is just a block from beautiful La Jolla Shores beach.

Shore House Kitchen, La Jolla Shores:

This is my favorite spot to get a yummy brunch and to take family and friends who are visiting to! I’m not a fan of the majority of the trendy breakfast spots in San Diego to be honest. Breakfast spots have popped up everywhere here with expensive prices and very mediocre food. Shore House Kitchen really sets itself apart from those trendy places with its very fresh and flavor packed menu options! I love all their eggs benedict variations and their LJ burger has to be my all time favorite burger!

Tocaya Organica, Downtown:

Tocaya Organica is a new addition to San Diego and has become my favorite Mexican food in the city! A vital part of experiencing San Diego is experiencing the Mexican culture here and of course that includes Mexican food! I’ve got to be honest, I am VERY picky when it comes to Mexican food. I like my Mexican food to be super fresh, full of flavor and on the healthy side and Tocaya Organica’s food is just that! Their tacos, sides, bowls and drinks are all so delicious and pair so well together! Their prices are also great and the restaurant itself is really cute inside with a living plant wall and giant “Cali Love” Neon sign!

Drinks:

Polite Provisions, North Park:

To be real I don’t go out for drinks very often but if I do I want to go somewhere with a bit of a more laid back vibe rather than the busy frat filled bars of PB or crazy chaotic clubs of the Gaslamp. Polite Provisions is just that. It’s a really fun experience with its tastefully vintage vibe, fun drinks and cozy ambience. I definitely recommend coming here if you’re looking for a cool spot to grab drinks with friends without the rowdiness of the club/bar scene.

Photo courtesy of Meg Evans photo/@evmeg https://www.megevansphoto.com/

Shop:

Pigment, North Park & Liberty Station:

If you’re looking for a wonderland of cute home decor, jewelry, accessories, plants, kitchen goodies and gifts this is the place to go. You know how when you find a cute boutique you really only love some of the things they carry and don’t care for the rest? Well Pigment is like a whole store filled with only the really good, cute stuff (things that you can’t really find in any other local stores!) I recommend coming here regardless of what you’re looking for but I especially love shopping for gifts here! They also have the cutest selection of kids clothes and toys I’ve ever seen plus a build your own succulent planter station! You can visit their website at www.shoppigment.com

Mimi & Red, La Jolla & North Park:

When on a trip to any city the last thing I want to do is end up at a mall, but I still often find myself wanting to shop while on trips. However, figuring out what boutiques in the city I’m visiting are tourist shops selling t-shirts and flip flops and which ones actually have cute stuff can be difficult. So I’m here to tell you that if you’re looking for a boutique with seriously cute clothes and accessories in San Diego, then you need to head to Mimi & Red! Both their North Park and La Jolla locations have a great selection of clothing, accessories, candles and more from some of my favorite brands! You can shop their website at www.mimiandred.com

To Do:

Balboa Park

One of the must see spots in San Diego is Balboa Park. Bursting with culture, beautiful architecture, museums, restaurants and theaters, you could spend days exploring this beautiful San Diego landmark. I recommend dedicating at least half a day to exploring Balboa Park and planning out ahead of time which museums you want to visit. If you’re looking for a good spot to get family photos, portraits or any sort of photos taken, Balboa Park is definitely the place to do so.

San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Balboa Park & Escondido

Another must see when visiting San Diego is our famous San Diego Zoo. Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is really a wonderful experience to dedicate a day to when visiting if you get the chance. You could also visit the San Diego Safari Park (previously the Wild Animal Park) to see the animals closer up and roaming in free open space.

Beaches: Marine St in La Jolla, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores Beach & Coronado Beach

When Visiting San Diego your bound to head to the beaches so knowing which ones to visit is important! The best beaches to have a “beach day” at are definitely Marine St, La Jolla Shores and Coronado. If you’re looking to just spend some time by the ocean rather than actually laying out or going in the water, then I recommend La Jolla Cove. You can walk along the entire cove, check out the many seals that populate the sand below and even explore the caves through the Cave Shop!

Beauty:

Blush Tan, La Jolla:

I am an avid self tanner and because of it I am extremely picky with my fake tans. I had actually never gotten a spray tan before going to Blush Tan and I’m so glad I got to try the best as my first spray tan! Blush Tan uses an all organic tanning solution and the tan is completely customizable to the tone and darkness you want! I had such a great experience getting tanned at Blush Tan and they made me feel so comfortable getting my first spray tan.The best part about their tanning process is their signature finishing drying spray that keeps you from feeling that typical stickiness you feel after tanning. My tan was beautiful and lasted a full week and also didn’t make my face break out which is huge for me.

Lashd by Hazel, East Lake:

I get asked about my eyelash extensions all the time and its all due to my fabulous lash artist Hazel. She transforms my lashes to whatever style I’m feeling at the time weather it be a more natural look or full on volume. She has also kept my lashes very healthy in the months that I’ve been going to her. She’s pretty reasonably priced and my extensions typically last a full month before I even need my first fill. If you’re a local or visiting San Diego I highly recommend Hazel for all your lash extension needs!

Stay:

La Valenica, La Jolla

I’ve spent many lazy Sundays exploring this hotel (dubbed the pink lady) and all its secret spots, lookouts to the gorgeous beaches below and beautiful spaces. If you’re looking for a lovely hotel to stay at by the ocean this is the hotel for you!

Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado

The Hotel Del is another San Diego landmark filled with a lot of San Diego history, its like taking a step into the past. Set on the beautiful Coronado beach, the Hotel Del has so much to explore, from its beautiful and classic interiors to its history in Hollywood movies, to even the famous haunted room! Even if you don’t stay here, I highly suggest you spend some time exploring it.

Pendry Hotel, Gaslamp

If you’re looking to stay central when visiting San diego and stay in a truly gorgeous hotel you should definitely check out the Pendry! With so many cool and on trend spaces from their multiple aesthetically pleasing restaurants to their beautiful lobby, this hotel is definitely a must see for photos, dinner and drinks.

Most Instagramable Spots:

Indoor: 

Communal Coffee, North Park– One of my favorite spots to get cute coffee/flower snaps, Communal Coffee has a lovely interior, their iconic “Coffee & Flowers” mural outside, and a flower shop inside to boot! Their South Park location is also super cute and the coffee is actually served from an adorable retro trailer that makes for a great photo op!

Better Buzz, Pacific Beach & Hillcrest-With so many cute locations you could really take endless photos at the Better Buzz’s of San Diego. My favorites to get a photo however are the larger Garnet St location and their newest (enormous) location in Hillcrest! With a super on trend black and white theme and lots of cool tile, plant walls and hanging Edison bulbs, Better Buzz is a haven for good instas and you have to visit at least one location while you’re in San Diego!

Holy Matcha, North Park– Decked out in all shades of pink and palm print, Holy Matcha is basically made for instagram snaps. The entire cafe is so cute and you can really get a great pic in every inch of it! Not to mention that their drinks and bites are just as beautiful as their space!

Cafe Gratitude, Little Italy– If you’re looking for a cute boho spot to snap some pics, this is the place for you! With a beautiful interior filled with boho basket lamps, marble counters and fun floor tile, you’re bound to get a cute photo here whether it be of you or your meal!

Copa Vida, East Village & Sorrento Valley– They have a few locations in San Diego (my favorite for photos are the J st and the Sorrento Valley locations) and they all have a sleek, majorly aesthetically pleasing design. I’ve shot many outfit pics here!

Pendry Hotel, Gaslamp– The Pendry hotel is a modern yet warm and inviting hotel with endless shoot spots! Wheather you’re staying here or just popping into one of their restaurants for lunch, you’ll find so many different areas to get a good insta snap.

Parakeet Cafe, La Jolla & Little Italy– With two locations that are equally adorable and coffee and treats that are super yummy, you have to head to the Parakeet Cafe for a cup of coffee and a fun snap against their tropical walls or neons signs.

Outdoor:

Little Italy– I’ve found that some of my best photos have been shot in Little Italy because there are just so many cool spots, buildings, and restaurants to shoot there. Some of my favorite outdoor spots to shoot in Little Italy are in front of La Pensione Hotel, in front of or in Born & Raised Restaurant, Cloak & Petal, & Ironside.

Balboa Park– Balboa park is filled with so much beautiful, architecture, gardens, ponds, water fountains, and so much more that you’re bound to get some beautiful shots here! I would definitely recommend planning what type of photos you want to get here ahead of time and plan which part of the park to shoot at accordingly (Its a massive park so you don’t want to accidentally park on the wrong end).

La Valenica Hotel, La Jolla -Located in beautiful La Jolla and filled with so many hidden stairways and look out points, you can definitely get some lovely photos here! (If you’re going for a Beverly Hills Hotel vibe with your photos this is the place to go)!

La Jolla– La Jolla in general has some great shoot spots but my favorites are the La Jolla Cove or Windansea Beach and the La Plaza La Jolla center (where blush tan is located). I also love exploring the neighborhoods here and finding beautiful hidden spots to take photos (head up Mt Soledad at Hidden Valley Rd to find the two secret bridges, they make for great photo ops)!